Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Does anybody else find that certain paints ruin their brushes quicker than others? It suddenly struck me today that there’s something about Abaddon black that just really seems to mess them up quick. Its also a really hard paint to thin. Not enough water it’s very stodgy, add just a little bit more and it’s suddenly as thin as water itself.

When I saw the thread title I thought of Abaddon Black

First thing that came to mind are metallics(& I mean actual metal in the paint).

Also any really chalky white/tan/whatever.

Thinned out paints mess mine up.

Drybrush ung really mess them up. But dry rushing with thick pensels means I need special soap to rince them out.

Drybrushing sharp surfaces like sand is really though.

Use an old brush to mix/thin your paint or put them on your wet pallet. I’d be surprised if abbadon black, properly thinned, would ruin your brush.

Are you basing with abbadon black? Often base paint are applied in a less gentle manner than layers or detail so it might be the application rather than the paint??

I just had my metallic brush completely fall apart today. The particles slowly lacerate the bristles.

Literally half of the brush came off; it was roughly cut almost halfway up from the base.

Abaddon black is a dog turd paint anyway. I'd recommend replacing with a black from somewhere like Vallejo.

But as people have stated, paints themselves don't ruin brushes. Generally it's user behaviour or old age that ruins the brushes. If you let the paint get into the ferrule and then dont clean it out, the brush will be ruined. If you thrash the brush around it will ruin it. Synthetic brushes will eventually form a hook at their tip. If you have a decent brush and treat it well it should last. I've been using a kolinsky from green stuff world for 6 months non stop and it's still got a fine enough point to paint eyes with pupils.

You could try investing in a brush soap or maybe some better brushes depending on what you're currently using.

I can't say that I've ever had paint ruin a brush.

I've wrecked many brushes over the years - especially as a child - but it's always been how I treated them, not the paints. Now if you're using enamels, rough techniques like drybrushing or harsh chemicals, that's another kettle of fish. Those will absolutely shorten the life of a brush. Even metal flake paints have never caused any appreciable wear. That said I never use a brush for mixing or transferring paint, and clean them carefully after use.

A lot of it comes down to treating brushes as the delicate tools they are, by using proper technique and maintenance.

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
Abaddon black is a dog turd paint anyway. I'd recommend replacing with a black from somewhere like Vallejo.

But as people have stated, paints themselves don't ruin brushes. Generally it's user behaviour or old age that ruins the brushes. If you let the paint get into the ferrule and then dont clean it out, the brush will be ruined. If you thrash the brush around it will ruin it. Synthetic brushes will eventually form a hook at their tip. If you have a decent brush and treat it well it should last. I've been using a kolinsky from green stuff world for 6 months non stop and it's still got a fine enough point to paint eyes with pupils.

You could try investing in a brush soap or maybe some better brushes depending on what you're currently using.

How do you find the kolinsky from GSW? I find all their products excellent but the bristles on the GSW brushes are longer than other brands I’ve used which has taken a bit of an adjustment

It's great. As I said it's just kept going like the energizer bunny. Personally I haven't noticed the bristles being any longer than most other brushes I've used. It's the gold series I'm using.

Thank you all for the tips. I do have brush soap and clean the brushes every time after use but they still don't seem to last me very long. I guess I just need to be careful.

But I agree that Abaddon is a dog turd. If you don't think it is just very cloggy. If you do thin it, just a little bit, it very quickly gets too thin. I'll try a Vallejo black next time.

Jandgalf wrote:
Thank you all for the tips. I do have brush soap and clean the brushes every time after use but they still don't seem to last me very long. I guess I just need to be careful.

But I agree that Abaddon is a dog turd. If you don't think it is just very cloggy. If you do thin it, just a little bit, it very quickly gets too thin. I'll try a Vallejo black next time.

What brushes are you using?

I have neve had abbadon black mess up my brushes. Not syaing that youhave not had your experience with it. But is it rare?

Did any one ask what kind of brush?

I cant say I've ever noticed a specific paint ruining one, but any paint could if allowed to dry into the ferrule of the brush (as a rule of thumb.. never get any up there atall)

Brush care can be important though, sable brushes are natural hair, and can become dry, brittle and break just like the hair on peoples heads if not properly cared for. Could it be this? Has the brush ever been cleaned and conditioned with propper brush soap or hair conditioner?

I bought some cheap sable brushes in the past and they just ruined instantly. I think if you want natural brush fibres you have to buy good quality kolinsky but otherwise good quality synthetic brushes should take most of what’s thrown at them if you take care of them.

I always find Windsor Newton cottman 111 range are the best synthetic brushes

Keep a couple cheap brushes set aside for mixing paint. Use the good ones for actually painting.

I mostly use Windsor Newton for painting and learned to never use them for mixing. The current set has lasted about 3 years and each brush can still get a fine tip.

For mixing and drybrushing, I use nylon hair brushes I get from the hobby store for about $10 a pack. Cheaper the better, they're not meant to last.